EMG HetSet - my review

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thegame

thegame

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Had these on loan for a few months now. I enjoy active and passive pickups as there are advantages to both.

In comparison to the popular EMG 81/85 (or 60) combo, I think the HetSet is better at :
- 6 string open chords. More string to string definition
- clean tones
- dynamics and volume pot adjustments

I found the classic 81/85 (or 60) set is still better than the Hetset for :
- palm muted crunchy riffs. More precise, faster feel and focus than the Hets
- lead playing. Feels more fluid, legato and sounds smoother due to more compression and midrange emphasis inherent in the 81

Frequency wise, the Hets have more lows, low mids, and an extended top end. The 81 has a sharper and emphasized mid/upper mid peak and less lows and less very high frequencies. An analogy would be the 81 is the searing and screaming 80's tone and the Hets are the bigger, fatter, growlier 90's and beyond tone. And despite reading that the Hets have more output, the 81 feels gainier and more saturated, again probably because its mids push the amp a certain way and effects of its bar magnet design.

Lastly, while the Hets seemingly have more traits in common with passive pickups, I don't think they sound passive at all. They still have every bit of the active hifi-ish clarity and character to them, very unlike the deeper lows, natural woody midrange grit and airy top end harmonic response typical of a high quality passive.

Agree, disagree ?
 
Appreciated man....every other review is "man these R gr8! Just like the 81/60 combo but BETTER in every way!!!!!"

From your description they sound badass, but I'd stick with the 81, as pretty much the only thing I like actives for is that tight defined palm muting they're great at.

Crossed off the GAS list. :thumbsup:
 
I thought they had too much low end and returned the set that I had
 
I just installed the Het Set in my ESP a month or two ago and I agree with your descriptions. For my style I like the Het Set better than the 81/60 combo I had in previously. Like you said, it combines the best attributes of passives and actives in one pick up. They're not quite as tight but they have a more complex and full tone.
I just got a Mesa Boogie Roadster 2 days ago and to my surprise the Het Set equipped guitar sounds clearer and brighter through it than my other 81/60 equipped axe.
 
Cool, based on this I think I would dig the hets as long as that "extreme top end" isn't too cutting or harsh. I've always been happier with an 85 or 89 in bridge position over an 81. Beefier and not as nasally.
 
glassjaw7":1al35x2a said:
Cool, based on this I think I would dig the hets as long as that "extreme top end" isn't too cutting or harsh. I've always been happier with an 85 or 89 in bridge position over an 81. Beefier and not as nasally.
Click to expand...

I changed my terminology to an 'extended' top end (in relation to the 81). The HetSet's top end is not extreme or out of balance, it just extends higher than that of the 81.
 
Nice. Have you tried the 66/57 set? If so, how do they compare to the Het set?
 
I'm on the fence with these since I'm liking my 81 seeing as the amps I use are very thick and lowend heavy, so I really don't want a bassy sounding bridge pickup. I like the cut and slice from the 81. I would likely need to re eq my amps from guitar to guitar (which I finally stopped doing) if I got the Het Set put in my other axe.
 
glassjaw7":3jmh2zbs said:
Nice. Have you tried the 66/57 set? If so, how do they compare to the Het set?
Click to expand...

No but I'd like to.
 
D-Rock":3pu6b3sx said:
I'm on the fence with these since I'm liking my 81 seeing as the amps I use are very thick and lowend heavy, so I really don't want a bassy sounding bridge pickup. I like the cut and slice from the 81. I would likely need to re eq my amps from guitar to guitar (which I finally stopped doing) if I got the Het Set put in my other axe.
Click to expand...
Even though there is a perceived boost to the low end it doesn't react poorly to a bassy amp. I A/B's the Het Set with another guitar with 81/60 EMG's using a Splawn Nitro and a Mesa Roadster (two low end dominant amps) and the Het Set surprised me by sounding clearer on both. Go figure. :confused:

Maybe because the Het Set is a little hotter it tightens up the amp like a boost pedal? F@#$ if I know but they sound good. :lol: :LOL:
 
They both have their pros and cons. I currently have the Hets in my ESP but thinking about throwing the 81 back in there...
 
I really do have to try these. Many have described the Het Set as "fuller" / "warmer" / more "organic" when compared to the 81...Do you agree with these. For passives, I have always favored the Duncan JB in the bridge....For actives, I have always gone with the 81. Given my taste...Would I dig the Het Set? Anyone compared them to the EMG 57/66?
 
I like them, i have a set in my eclipse and like them better than my 81/60 combo and 81/81 combo i've had in the same guitar better open chords, tighter bass, not as shrill highs, and the volume knobs seem to really make a difference in tone over the 81/60 combo. It may be my ears but i think there also hotter no boost needed in front of my 5150 and i have the gain around 11-12 o-clock and when i plug in the same type guitar with 81/60 have to move the gain to around 2 o clock for the same sound.. but again just my opinion.
 
Love the review!! Havent played EMG's in years....
Sounds like I am not missin out with the Hetfields. ;)
 
81 vs 57 vs JH. Listen and decide for yourselves. You can hear them in a full mix, singled out, etc:

 
Lasse's clip shows the JH to be very similar to the 81, except without the polished qualities in the upper range. Both are very clear and a good match for his Uberschall.
 
glassjaw7":348eg6c1 said:
Cool, based on this I think I would dig the hets as long as that "extreme top end" isn't too cutting or harsh. I've always been happier with an 85 or 89 in bridge position over an 81. Beefier and not as nasally.
Click to expand...
I put an 85 in place of an 81 in my Suhr bridge and haven't looked back. The Hets looks cool but I only use this guitar once in a while even thought its a great Suhr. The 85 was much better than the 81, at least in this guitar.
 
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